BARCELONA news is coming thick and fast and Express Sport is on hand to bring you all the latest updates from the Nou Camp.

Coutinho claim

12.45: Philippe Coutinho has not closed the door on a move away from Liverpool if Barcelona make a renewed attempt to buy him in the January transfer window.

The Spanish giants had three bids - the last of them around £117m - rejected last summer when Coutinho was tempted by the prospect of playing alongside Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez at the Nou Camp and submitted a transfer request.

Liverpool's owners insisted then that the Brazilian playmaker would not be sold but Barcelona have not ruled out a fresh attempt when the winter window opens in three weeks time.

Coutinho has responded well this season and insists any fresh speculation will not have a detrimental impact on his focus and form at Anfield.

He said: "I do not know how the future is going to be. What will happen in January, we will know it in January. I do not know if there will be an offer.

“I am at Liverpool and I always do my best when I have the opportunity to play, respecting the jersey and the supporters.

“Last summer there was a job offer [from Barcelona] in the same way that happens with any employee and I was interested in it. Since I stayed, I have played with will and desire.”

The Portugal midfielder struggled for games at Barca last season under Luis Enrique.

And new boss Ernesto Valverde hasn’t used him much either.

And Don Balon claim he has told friends he wished he had joined Madrid instead when he had the chance.

Seri battle

07.15: Manchester City and Liverpool have joined the race for Jean Michael Seri.

The midfielder was on Barcelona’s radar in the summer and they made a move worth £35.2m for Nice star.

And now they face competition from the Premier League duo.

The Daily Mail claim both clubs are keen on Seri and could make moves in January.

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Jean Michael Seri could be the subject of interest from Manchester City and Liverpool

Messi sets sights on international retirement

06.00: Lionel Messi has admitted that next year’s World Cup is likely to be his last one.

The Argentina international is desperate to get his hands on the Jules Rimet Trophy.

But he acknowledges that it will be difficult given the standard of opposition at the tournament.

"People are waiting for this group to leave because it has not won for a long time and those who criticise get tired of always seeing the same faces," Messi told TyC Sports.

"I think it's the last opportunity for this group. There is a lot of excitement. If we do badly, the entire national team will have to disappear.”

Barcelona ‘call’ Coutinho during interview

04.30: Philippe Coutinho had his post-match interview interrupted by a phone call after the Spartak Moscow drubbing.

Former Premier League striker Jan Aage Fjortoft, who is now a TV pundit, was conducting post-match chats with Jamie Carragher following the 7-0 win.

Although Kop legend Carra made a rookie error. He left his handset on loud and the ringing phone stopped Coutinho in his tracks.

Carragher shook his head at the mistake while Fjortoft, who was working for Norwegian television at the time, turned to Coutinho and said 'it's Barcelona' as he did his best to make light of the situation.

Messi admits he needs resting

02.30: Messi has revealed that his body can no longer take playing every game every season.

The Argentine forward has been dropped by boss Ernesto Valverde three times this season and started the club’s last two Champions League games on the bench.

"I have learned that the season is long, that there are times which are harder than others because the years fly by and now my body pays the price for playing in so many matches," Messi told TyC Sports.

"I realised that sometimes not playing is for the best."

Messi's Barcelona future cast in doubt

00.30: Lionel Messi has reiterated his desire to finish his career with boyhood club Newell’s Old Boys.

However, the Argentine attacker has voiced his concern over the state of affairs in his country which may cast doubt over any potential return.

Messi signed a new contract at the Nou Camp last month which keeps him in Catalonia until 2021.

But when the time comes in four years time, and if his family feel it is right, then Messi will return to Newell’s Old Boys to see out his career.

"I've said many times that my dream is to play at Newell's but I don't know what will happen,” Messi told TYC Sports.

“A part of that doubt is due to the way the country is at the moment.

"I have a family and my children come first, and then me.

“I want them to grow up in a calm place, being able to enjoy life with security.

"It is very ugly to see the things that happen in Argentina, that you can go out on the street and people want to rob you and that they can kill you."

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Lionel Messi wants to finish his career at Newell's Old Boys.

Wednesday December 6

Luiz loan move

22:25: Chelsea will allow David Luiz to leave in January, preferably on loan, reports claim.

According to the Gambling Times, Chelsea are ready to let Luiz go in January.

Their preference would be to see the 30-year-old go out on loan until the end of the season as the club still see a future for him at Stamford Bridge.

Luiz also wants to see out his contract, that runs until 2019, but is well aware of the need for regular game time if he wants to make Brazil’s squad for the World Cup next summer.

Real Madrid have been linked with making a move for the former Paris Saint-Germain star in the New Year but they face competition from Barcelona.

Champions League action

20:00: It’s the final night of Champions League group action and Express Sport have it covered.

Manchester City, Liverpool, Real Madrid and Tottenham Hotspur are all in action.

Seri battle

17:55: Barcelona face a battle with three European big guns if they renew their interest in Nice midfielder Jean Seri.

The Ivory Coast international was the subject of a £35.2m bid from the La Liga giants over the summer.

And the Daily Mail claim Liverpool, Manchester City and Paris Saint-Germain are now all after his signature.

Whether Barcelona will look to add Seri to their ranks in the new year remains to be seen.

BARCELONA

Barcelona striker Ousmane Dembele is back in training

Renato on Arthur

17:00: Gremio coach Renato admits it will be difficult to keep hold a youngster Arthur with Barcelona keen on him.

Arthur was recently voted the best defensive midfielder in the Brazilian league 2017.

"The pressure has been huge, that's normal. If he will continue? Sincerely, I find that difficult to see," said the coach. "It makes us happy to have a player that's being watched by European sides," said the coach.

"Maybe we don't have a player of his quality but we have others who can replace him. He's helped us a lot, but I think it will be hard to keep him."

Dembele back training

14:20: Ousmane Dembele is already back training with Barcelona.

The striker tore his hamstring earlier in the season and is not expected to be fit until the New Year.

But he stepped up his recovery today by training with his team-mates.

Barcelona paid £138m for Dembele this summer but the injury has meant he is yet to score a goal for his new club.

Cahill's claim

12.45: Gary Cahill admits he wants to avoid Barcelona or PSG in the next round of the Champions League.

Chelsea finished runners up in Group C after a draw with Atletico Madrid last night.

And that means they’ll face a group winner in the second round - and potentially Barca or PSG.

Antonio Conte and Eden Hazard appeared to welcome the prospect, but Cahill insisted his preference would be for such ties to come later in the competition.

"To get to and win the final, of course we have to beat the best teams," Cahill said.

"But let's not lie as well, let's hope we dodge them and progress.

"You expect to see the very, very big teams later on. At this stage of the competition, those that qualify are top teams - you can't dodge anyone too much - but I hope the draw is a good one for us."